WICKED INTENTIONS

Herodias’s chance finally came… —Mark 6:21

There are those who are just waiting for the right chance, the right opportunity. Maybe it is a person seeking revenge or maybe it is a person looking to commit a crime of some sort. They are waiting for what they believe will be just the right moment to carry out their evil heart’s desires.

This is what was happening in the context of the verse above. John the Baptist had told King Herod that it was not lawful to have Herodias, his brother’s Philip’s wife, as his own wife. Herod was under the enchantment of this woman and as a favor to her he had John arrested and put in prison. Up to this point Herod had protected John because he had respected him as a good and holy man. Whenever he talked with John he was great disturbed, but he like to listen to him.

At Herod’s birthday party his government officials, army officers and leading citizens of Galilee were in attendance. Herodias’ daughter performed a dance that greatly please Herod and his guests and in front of his guests Herod said to the girl- “Ask me for anything you like,” the king said to the girl, “and I will give it to you.” He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!” (Mark 6:22-23).

Ah, Herodias’ chance had finally come! The girl went to her mother and said, “What should I ask for?” and her mother responded, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!” So the girl hurried back to Herod and said, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!” (Mark 6:24-25). He was trapped. This is not something he wanted to do, but because of his vow to the girl made in front of all his guests, he sent soldiers to behead John in prison and to bring his head on a platter. In turn, the girl took it to her mother. The deed Herodias was waiting to accomplish was done. John would never speak against their marriage again! She had her vengeance. Wicked people wait for the right time to do their wicked deeds! But God knows and they will not escape Him!

We even see this wickedness today and it has been happening through the centuries. There are those who are just waiting to carry out their wicked deeds against those who love Jesus. But beloved, remember, we are already victorious in Christ Jesus and the WORST someone can do to us is kill us and send us to heaven. Now in the words of another, “That ain’t so bad.” No its not!

Dear Father, thank You that our home is in heaven and it is not on this planet. Oh, help us to remember that we are pilgrims and strangers just passing through. May it be so!